Articles
Business intelligence and analysis on Ecuador
BDE Places USD 100M Green Bond as Public Banking Enters Market
Banco de Desarrollo del Ecuador issued USD 100 million in green bonds in its first securities-market operation of this type. The issue drew 125% demand, with 80% bought by the private sector, and is intended to finance environmental infrastructure projects.
Ecuador Unemployment Falls to 3.1% as Informal Employment Holds at 52.8%
Ecuador’s unemployment rate fell from 4.1% in May 2025 to 3.1% in May 2026, equivalent to about 86,000 fewer unemployed people. The business signal is mixed: adequate employment reached 36.6%, but informal employment still covered 52.8% of employed workers.
Ecuador SME Credit Rises 12% as Cooperatives and BanEcuador Drive Placement
Ecuadorian SME credit placement rose about 12% from January through May 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Cooperatives and public banking, especially BanEcuador, accounted for 70% of the increase, while private banks represented 30%.
Decevale-Isspol Judgment Orders USD 693M Repair Payment
A tribunal convicted six defendants in the Decevale case and ordered a USD 693M repair payment to Isspol. The case began with 2020 complaints from Superintendencia de Compañías, Valores y Seguros against Decevale S.A. and Citadel Casa de Valores over alleged market-operations irregularities.
SEPS Data Show 38 Credit Cooperatives in Forced Liquidation as Delinquency Exceeds 8%
SEPS data show 38 Ecuadorian credit cooperatives were in forced liquidation as of May 5, 2026. Ambato accounted for 36.8% of the cases, Quito 26.3% and Cuenca 21.1%, with sector delinquency above 8% versus roughly 3% in private banking.
BanEcuador Sets USD 253M El Nino Credit and Relief Buffer
BanEcuador says it has USD 253 million available for credit, refinancing and relief measures tied to a possible El Nino event. The bank estimates up to USD 13 million in loans could face repayment risk, with agriculture identified as the most exposed sector.
Finance and Mining Lead Ecuador 2025 Utilities as Net Profit Hits USD 10.017B
A corporate-utilities ranking based on Superintendencia de Companias data put Ecuador 2025 net utility at USD 10.017 billion. Financial and insurance activities led by sector share, followed by mining, commerce and manufacturing.
Ecuador June Fixed-Term Deposit Average Rate Slips to 5.29%
Ecuador's average passive effective rate for fixed-term deposits reached 5.29% in June 2026, down from 5.34% in May and 5.40% in April. Listed rates ranged from 4.31% for 30-60 days to 6.45% for terms of 360 days or more.
CONAFIPS to Mobilize $155M for Farmers and Young Entrepreneurs
CONAFIPS will mobilize up to $155 million in productive financing through a credit-incentive program for young entrepreneurs and small farmers. Official projections point to approximately 30,000 small farmers and 8,000 young-led ventures as beneficiaries.
BIESS Offers Three Mortgage-Debt Options as 2026 Credit Target Reaches $5.8B
BIESS reminded affiliates, retirees and pensioners that mortgage borrowers have three alternatives for payment problems: refinancing, restructuring and novation. The bank targets $5.8 billion in 2026 credit placements after placing $5.0986 billion in 2025, including $479 million in mortgage loans across 7,816 operations.
Ecuador VAT Revenue Reaches $4.068B Through April
Ecuador collected $4.068 billion in VAT from January through April 2026, up 15% from $3.549 billion a year earlier. VAT represented about 46.5% of total tax revenue, while internal sales reached $53.903 billion in January-March, up 12%.
OIM Opens SME Fund Offering Up to $40,000 in Ecuador
The OIM Enterprise Development Fund opened a call for SMEs in Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca, Manta, Ambato and Ibarra. Selected companies may receive $20,000 to $40,000 for expansion, innovation, productive strengthening and job creation.